Marseille

The day after our visit to the island of Mallorca, our liner, Wonder of the Seas (yes, the world’s largest ship), arrived in the French city of Marseille.

I expected worse, as this city has a controversial reputation (no details needed). But everything turned out fine; at least in the historical center, Marseille is clean, tidy, and beautiful.

What to See in Marseille in One Day

I recommend taking a walking tour to visit the places listed below.

marseille, view from notre dame de la garde
Marseille, view from Notre-Dame de la Garde

Besides Notre-Dame, in this beautiful city, you can (and should) see the Old Port, Marseille Cathedral, and the Le Panier district in just one visit.

Marseille
And here it is, the Le Panier district.

However, keep in mind that part of the journey between these landmarks will be uphill (especially on the way to Notre-Dame de la Garde, see the first photo), which might not be comfortable for everyone.

Marseille
This is the monument to Bishop Belsunce near Marseille Cathedral. Why is he spreading his arms? I don’t know yet. Once I find out, I’ll write about it.

So far, even [ChatGPT] (https://webliner.pro/ai-neural-networks-chatgpt-midjourney/) couldn’t answer my question about the statue’s pose, providing only a brief historical note:

Monsignor de Belsunce was the bishop of Marseille in the 18th century. He became well-known for his actions during the plague epidemic that broke out in Marseille in 1720. Bishop Belsunce played a significant role in managing the city and organizing aid for the sick and dying during the epidemic.
The monument to Monsignor de Belsunce was erected near Marseille Cathedral in recognition of his contributions and important role in combating the plague. This monument serves as a reminder of his generosity and compassion during the city’s difficult times.

Marseille
This is how the Cathedral looks from the inside.
Marseille
The Old Port of Marseille

At first glance, it reminded me of the boat and yacht docks we have here in Cyprus, in Paphos, and other cities. Well, it’s still the Mediterranean, just from the other side. But of course, the scale and history here are completely different.

I’ll write more here later.

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